As marijuana legalization spreads across the United States, one critical conversation continues to be neglected: how marijuana use affects driving. A new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety revealed that over 84% of marijuana users reported driving within eight hours of consumption, and over half got behind the wheel within just one hour. This amounts to a significant number of individuals driving after using marijuana leading to the question of whether the risks of driving high are underestimated by users.

With 24 states now having legalized recreational marijuana, daily marijuana has now surpassed daily alcohol use. But much like alcohol, legality does not mean safety, especially behind the wheel.

In fact, the AAA report makes it clear: marijuana-impaired driving is real, and it is common.

To add to this concerning normalization of marijuana use, 46.9% of marijuana users in the study said they felt they drove the same as when they were sober, while 14.7% and 19.4% said they drove better or much better, indicating that most of the individuals surveyed thought the consequences were negligible. However, research tells a different story. Slowed reaction times, drowsiness, and brain fog are some of the most reported symptoms after using marijuana. Although they may not sound as dramatic as the effects reported by alcohol impaired drivers, a study from the University of Illinois found that driving under the influence of marijuana was associated with a 10% increase in motor vehicle deaths.

And while the results of different studies may vary by state and methods, they all point in the same direction: marijuana related crashes are on the rise and recreational markets may see an even higher number.

A nationwide study showed that legalized markets were associated with an approximately 7% increase in injury crashes and about 2% increase of fatal crashes. Still, people will say “marijuana is not alcohol” and the shift in marijuana perspectives due to legalization have made people less receptive to preventive messaging.

So… Is It Safe to Drive After Using Marijuana?

The short answer? NO.

Just like alcohol, marijuana impairs the areas of the brain responsible for judgement, coordination, and reaction time. Two separate studies using driving simulators published in 2019 and 2024 showed that even experienced marijuana users drove differently under the influence, with most driving significantly slower, likely due to anxiety or overcompensation. Slow driving might seem safer than speeding, but in reality, it creates hazardous road conditions, especially when drivers misjudge their capabilities on the road.

The bottom line is even if marijuana is legal in your state, driving under its influence is not. The risks are real.

Stay Safe, Stay Smart, and Don’t Drive High!

To learn more about the effects of marijuana visit our website www.DFAF.org and we invite you to watch and share: The Tragic Story About Marijuana Impaired Driving.

References:

Cross, G. (2025). Vast majority of cannabis users drive afterward, report says. These are the risks. USA TODAY. Retrieved from https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/vast-majority-of-cannabis-users-drive-afterward-report-says-these-are-the-risks/ar-AA1BlfbV?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=aa224b518a86439c9d5068dcc5ce4017&ei=26

Hill, L.L., Marcotte, T. D., Ageze, D. & Hacker, S. D. (2025). Examination of Cannabis Users’ Perceptions and Self-Reported Behaviors to Inform Messaging to Deter Impaired Driving (Technical Report). Washington, D.C.: AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

Brands, B., Mann, R. E., Wickens, C. M., Sproule, B., Stoduto, G., Sayer, G. S., Burston, J., Pan, J. F., Matheson, J., Stefan, C., George, T. P., Huestis, M. A., Rehm, J., & Le Foll, B. (2019). Acute and residual effects of smoked cannabis: Impact on driving speed and lateral control, heart rate, and self-reported drug effects. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 205, 107641. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.107641

Di Ciano, P., Rajji, T. K., Hong, L., Elzohairy, Y., Brubacher, J., McGrath, J., Hasan, A., Wickens, C. M., Kaduri, P., & Le Foll, B. (2024). Cannabis and driving in older adults. JAMA Network Open, 7(1), e2352233. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.52233